PDF Transcripts

How PDF transcripts work

Certified PDFs have been digitally signed. When opened, they’ll display a digital signature along with a blue ribbon that verifies that the document is authentic.

Our certified PDF transcripts are delivered electronically over a secure network to the email address of the recipient you specify when you order. We’ll send the recipient instructions on how to access the transcript. The recipient should check his or her junk mail folder if this email does not arrive.

The link to a PDF transcript becomes inactive 45 days after it is delivered.

You’ll be notified via email when your transcript access information has been sent and again when the recipient has downloaded the PDF. The recipient will have 45 days to download your PDF transcript before it expires.

Indiana University will not certify the authenticity of any PDF transcript that has been replicated or forwarded to anyone other than the original recipient. If you need to send your official transcript to more than one person, you must order multiple copies.

Before you order a PDF transcript, you should:

Make sure that the recipient will accept an electronic transcript.

Verify the email address where the PDF transcript will be sent.

Watch a demo explaining PDF transcripts.

Troubleshooting

Check out the solutions to some of the most common problems recipients have with certified PDFs.

Why is the email blank?

This is caused by a security setting in your mail application. The application is displaying a large, blank box instead of the image. Scroll down to the email text or download the pictures.

Why does the PDF have blank pages?

You must use Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat to view the secure document.

Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat needs to connect to a rights management server. You should be prompted to allow access.

If your computer is behind a firewall to protect you from potentially unsafe content, your computer may not be able to connect to the server. Try opening the PDF from a different network, such as your home network.

Why is the quality of the PDF so bad when I print it?

For best results, print the document to a color printer. The PDF transcript is the same as an official paper transcript and should not be altered in any way, including the color(s).

If you do not have a color printer and the graphics are not printing, make sure you print using the grayscale option rather than black and white.